Download Business Writing Blitz:

Business Writing Blitz:
Tackling Grammar, Punctuation, and
Common Errors
Dr. Shannon H. Andrus, Ed.D
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Agenda
• Part 1. Quicksand Words
• Part 2. More Quicksand: Homophones and
Imposters
• Part 3. Even more Quicksand: Contraction
Homophones
• Part 4. Grammar Gaffes
• Part 5. Punctuation Problems
• Part 6. Letter Writing
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Vive le France!
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A lot
A lot is two words.
I love you A LOT.
That is A LOT of strawberries.
The ALOT is a beast created by blogger Allie Brosh to
describe what she thinks of when people make a lot one
word.
Credit: Allie Brosh,
www.HyperboleandaHalf.com
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A and An
We think the rule is A before words that
begin with consonants and AN before
words that begin with vowels.
The actual rule is: the article A is used
before words that begin with consonant
sounds and AN is used before words
with vowel sounds.
A and An Examples
• A banana
• A Utopian world
• A historic
moment
An apple
An umbrella
An hour
An MBA
An herb
An honorable person
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Bad and Badly
Bad is an adjective
Badly is an adverb
• That was a bad movie. • He is behaving badly.
• I have a bad dog.
• I play the piano badly.
• Benjy is bad at math.
• He wanted badly to go.
Action Verb or Linking Verb?
• Some linking verbs: To be, feel, look, appear,
smell
– I feel bad. As the linking verb feel, connects bad
to the noun I.
– I feel badly. Describes the action verb feel.
Means that you aren’t so good at feeling.
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Good and Well
• Just as with BAD and BADLY, you determine if you
should use the adjective GOOD or the adverb WELL
based on who or what you are trying to describe.
• It’s okay to use good instead of well after linking
verbs, because you can use adjectives with linking
verbs.
– I run well. I swim well. I dance well. I am good.
• Use I AM WELL when you are specifically describing
the opposite of sick.
i.e. and e.g.
• i.e. id est, that is or in other words
• e.g. exemplia gratia, for example
• Typically you use commas before and
after or put in parentheses
• Do not italicize
• Put periods after each letter
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i.e. and e.g. examples
• She broke her toe three weeks ago, i.e., right after
Christmas.
• I think he is an agoraphobic (i.e., he hates crowds and
open spaces.)
• She loves contact sports, e.g., football and rugby.
• They would love to go somewhere tropical (e.g., Hawaii
or Costa Rica).
Memory Trick i.e. and e.g.
• i.e.  that IS or IN other words
• e.g.  for EXAMPLE
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Regardless and Irregardless
• Regardless is a word that means to regard less,
to not consider, or to ignore.
• Irregardless is sometimes used colloquially, but
it would mean not to regard less – the exact
opposite of the speaker’s intended use.
– I will finish the second half of the game
regardless of the pain in my foot.
How much could you care?
• I couldn’t care less!
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By Accident
• You can do something on purpose or by
accident.
• “On accident” has been gaining in
popularity in recent years, but it is
technically incorrect.
Lay and Lie
• Lay requires a direct object and lie does not
–
–
–
–
I will LAY the book down on the table.
LAY it on me, Gordon.
I will LIE down now.
LIE down, Sally. (Sorry Eric Clapton – you were
wrong)
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Even more lay and lie
• Lay is also the past tense of lie. (Yay,
English!)
– Yesterday I lay down for an hour before
dinner.
• Laid is the past tense of lay.
– Yesterday I laid the book on the table.
Less and Fewer
• Less is used with non-countable quantities, fewer is for
countable things.
– Please use LESS soap.
– I brought FEWER bars of soap camping this time.
– It will take up LESS time if we drive up I-25.
– There are FEWER people at the party this year.
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Less & Fewer Exceptions
• Exceptions: You can usually use less for
time, distance, and money, even when it is
countable.
– The movie was LESS than two hours long.
– I wouldn’t take the job for LESS than $10 an
hour.
Less & Fewer Memory Trick
• This is wrong.
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Literally
• Literally is the opposite of figuratively.
– I literally just spent my last dollar. (You should
have no dollars in your possession.)
– My head is literally exploding right now. (No, no
it’s not.)
• Do not use literally for emphasis. It is incorrect.
May & Might
• There is a subtle distinction between may
and might. Generally may means
something is likely to happen and might
means it is not very likely.
– I may go to the store before Bill gets here.
– I might win the lottery.
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Who & Whom
• Who is used when you refer to the subject of a clause and
whom when you refer to an object of a clause.
– WHOM did I just hear come in the house?
– WHO is that knocking on the door?
– To WHOM does this purse belong?
– WHO took my jacket?
Who & Whom Memory Trick
• Try to answer the question and replace who/whom with
either him/her or he/she. When you put in him/her, use
whom. When you put in he/she, use who.
– WHOM did I just hear come in the house? You heard
him.
– WHO is that knocking on the door? He is.
– To WHOM does this purse belong? It belongs to her.
– WHO took my jacket? She took your jacket.
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Part 2. More Quicksand:
Homophones & Imposters
Affect & Effect
• Affect is a verb and effect is a noun.
– How will this grade AFFECT your GPA?
– The sad scene in the movie really AFFECTED me.
– The sound EFFECTS in the movie were great.
– The EFFECT of this intervention was tremendous.
• *Because this is English, there are other meanings of
both affect and effect, but most of the time these are the
ways these words are used.
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Affect & Effect Memory Trick
Remember:
Affect
Verb
Effect
Noun
Compliment & Complement
• To compliment is to praise or admire
someone. To complement something is to
complete something or go well with it.
– She paid me the sweetest COMPLIMENT today.
– That hair color really COMPLEMENTS your eyes.
– This wine complements the dish beautifully.
– He has the full COMPLEMENT of action figures.
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Compliment & Complement
Memory Trick
• Compliment with an i is praise.
– I really like to get compliments.
• Complement with an e is to complete or match well with.
– To complement is to complete something.
Ensure & Insure
• To ensure is to make certain or guarantee. Insure is to
protect against loss through insurance.
– I will ENSURE that we are home before 11 o’clock.
– She must ENSURE that the building is complete in
time.
– I have INSURED my car.
– I should INSURE my horse against a loss.
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Ensure & Insure Memory Trick
• These words are very close in meaning and can at times
be used interchangeably. To be safe, save insure for
references to insurance.
Lose & Loose
• To LOSE is to misplace something or fail to win. LOOSE
is an adjective meaning not tight.
– I hate to LOSE.
– I don’t want to LOSE him.
– My front wheel is LOOSE.
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Everyday vs. Every day
• Everyday is an adjective meaning
commonplace.
– This is not an everyday occurrence!
• Every day describes when something
happens (each day).
– Every day I buy yogurt, and every day I forget
it in my car.
Then & Than
• Then has an element of time in it. Than is used for a
comparison.
– We brushed our teeth and THEN went to bed.
– If the pears aren’t ripe THEN use the canned ones.
– My THEN roommate moved out unexpectedly.
– I like potatoes more THAN carrots.
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Then & Than Memory Trick
• Then has an e like time does
• Than has an a like comparison does
Very & Vary
• Very is an adverb or adjective used as an intensifier.
• Vary is a verb meaning to change or to be different.
– She rides VERY well.
– He is VERY tall.
– I should VARY my routine.
– The scenery begins to VARY as you approach the
coast.
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Very & Vary Memory Trick
• Remember that vary is the root of variety,
various, variable, etc.
Part 3. Even more Quicksand:
Contraction Homophones
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You’re & Your
• You’re means you are.
• Your is the possessive form of you.
– YOU’RE a great person.
– YOU’RE going to be so happy.
– I wanted to see what YOU’RE doing.
– YOUR shoes are fabulous.
You’re & Your Memory Trick
– You’re a great person.
– You are a great person. ✓
– I wanted to see what you’re doing.
– I wanted to see what you are doing. ✓
– You’re shoes are fabulous.
– You are shoes are fabulous. ✕
– You’re opinion matters to me.
– You are opinion matters to me. ✕
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Who’s & Whose
• Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has.
• Whose is a possessive form of who.
–
–
–
–
WHO’S that new kid?
WHO’S going to eat that?
WHOSE plate is this?
I didn’t know WHOSE they were.
Who’s & Whose Memory
Trick
• Just break up the contraction (or substitute one if you
didn’t use it) and see if your sentence still works.
– Who’s that new kid?
– Who is that new kid? ✓
– Who’s shoes are these?
– Who is shoes are these? ✕
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It’s and Its
• It’s is a contraction meaning it is.
• Its is a possessive form of it.
–
–
–
–
IT’S ten o’clock.
IT’S going to rain later today.
ITS nest fell out of the tree.
I gave the project ITS proper attention.
It’s and Its Memory Trick
– It’s ten o’clock.
– It is ten o’clock. ✓
– It’s going to rain later today.
– It is going to rain later today. ✓
– It’s nest fell out of the tree.
– It is nest fell out of the tree. ✕
– I gave the project it’s proper attention.
– I gave the project it is proper attention. ✕
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Part 4: Grammar Gaffes
Modifier Trouble
• One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas.
How he got in my pajamas I’ll never know.
– Groucho Marx
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Misplaced Modifiers
• When the modifier is in the wrong place it
can refer to the wrong part of the
sentence.
Misplaced Modifiers –
Examples
• I found a huge spider cleaning out the barn.
• I gave the apples to my friend I found in the orchard.
• I saw a moose driving down the highway.
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Dangling Modifiers
•
A modifier should definitively refer to the object or action in the
sentence to which it is referring. When it’s not clear what the
modifier is trying to describe, we say it is DANGLING.
Dangling Modifiers - Examples
• After hanging on for hours, a fall seemed certain.
– Who or what was hanging on for hours?
• Hoping for a great showing at the track meet, many
hours of training were done.
– Who was hoping?
• After reading the book, the movie is sure to be great!
– Who read the book?
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Prepositions
• A preposition is a word or group of words that is used
with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction,
location, or time, or to introduce an object.
• Of, With, To, On, Through, Among, Into, Within
– I bought a bottle OF wine.
– I would like to go TO the shore.
– I dance AMONG the lilies.
– WITHIN the hour, we will know the answer.
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Ending Sentences with
Prepositions
• Generally, the rule is to not end a sentence with a
preposition.
• HOWEVER, if the preposition is required, then you can
usually leave it in place.
– His soups are what he was known for. ✓
– Where is she at? ✕
– Where is she? ✓
– That is the type of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put! ✕
– That is the type of arrant pedantry I won’t put up with! ✓
Pronoun/Antecedent
Agreement
• Singular indefinite pronouns can cause trouble.
– No one, Nobody, Anyone, Anybody, Someone,
Somebody, Everyone, Each, Either, and Neither.
• Because those are singular pronouns they must match
with other singular pronouns when they are the
antecedent.
– Everyone needs to finish his dinner.
– Each of the boys ate his ice cream.
– Someone left her coat on the floor.
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Pronoun/Antecedent
Agreement
• Singular indefinite pronouns can cause trouble.
– No one, Nobody, Anyone, Anybody, Someone,
Somebody, Everyone, Each, Either, and Neither.
• Because those are singular pronouns they must match
with other singular pronouns when they are the
antecedent.
– Everyone needs to finish his dinner.
– Each of the boys ate his ice cream.
– Someone left her coat on the floor.
A note about his/her
•
Historically we have used male singular pronouns when sex is
unknown or hypothetical.
– If a winner comes forward, we will give HIM the award.
•
Another option is to write HIM/HER or HIM or HER. Finally, you can
alternate HIM and HER in each instance it occurs in your text.
– If anyone complains, tell him or her that he or she can call the
manager.
•
There are increasing calls for the use of THEIR with singular
antecedents, but so far this is not acceptable in any grammar guide.
– Everyone needs to bring THEIR goggles to swim lessons.✕
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More His/Her
• Another solution to the his/her problem is
to change the structure of the sentence.
• Instead of: Everyone must bring his or her
own computer to the meeting.
• Use: All employees must bring their
computers to the meeting.
Parallel Structure
• Parallel structure is using the same type or pattern of
words to show that two or more ideas have the same
level of importance. This can happen at the word,
phrase, or clause level.
Definition from Purdue OWL https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/623/01/
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Parallel Structure
• INCORRECT: The CEO studied all parts of the
problem—humane, political, and cost.
• CORRECT: The CEO studied all parts of the problem—
humane, political, and financial.
• INCORRECT: At camp we tried out archery, swimming,
and learning to weave.
• CORRECT: At camp we tried out archery, swimming, and
weaving.
Split Infinitives
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Part 5: Punctuation Problems
Let’s Eat Grandma
Periods
• Use only one space after a period.
• There are not firm rules on using periods after each letter
in an acronym (NASA) or initialisms (NSA, CD).
• If you use an abbreviation that ends in a period at the
end of a sentence, do not use a second period.
– She provided everything they needed: food, drinks,
dishes, etc.
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Question Marks
• Tag questions require a question mark.
– You bought lettuce, didn’t you?
• Indirect questions do not require a question mark.
– I wonder if it will rain.
Comma Usage
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Serial Comma
• The serial comma is the one that comes before the
conjunction in a list.
– I like peaches, oranges, and bananas. ✓
– I like peaches, oranges and bananas. ✓
Generally, it is better to use the serial comma in legal
writing. It offers more precision.
From The New York Times
• The debate over commas is often a pretty
inconsequential one, but it was anything but for the
truck drivers. Note the lack of Oxford comma — also
known as the serial comma — in the following state
law, which says overtime rules do not apply to:
• The canning, processing, preserving, freezing,
drying, marketing, storing, packing for shipment or
distribution of:
• (1) Agricultural produce;
• (2) Meat and fish products; and
• (3) Perishable foods.
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Comma Splice / Run-on
Sentence
• Commas cannot join two independent clauses together.
– The dog is hungry, I will give it food. ✕
• If you have two clauses that could stand alone as two
separate sentences you need to separate them with one
of the following:
– A period: The dog is hungry. I will give it food. ✓
– A comma and a coordinating conjunction: The dog is
hungry, so I will give it food. ✓
– A semicolon: The dog is hungry; I will give it food. ✓
Coordinating Conjunctions
From youtube: https://youtu.be/-catJZm_2TI
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Commas with Multiple Adjectives
• If you can put an and between two words describing
something OR if you can reverse the order, then you can use
a comma.
– Patrick bought a fast, blue boat. ✓ (Comma okay)
– Patrick bought a fast and blue boat. ✓
– It was a long planning session. ✓ (No comma)
– It was a planning long session. ✕
– I like his shiny sports car. ✓ (No comma)
– I like sports shiny car. ✕
Commas Around
Nonessential Elements
• If there is a descriptive word or phrase in the middle of a
sentence, put commas around it only if it contains
nonessential information.
– My mother, who is eighty years old, just got a driver’s
license. Nonessential
– The woman in the blue dress is my mother. Essential
– Janine, who turns 25 tomorrow, is off today. Nonessential
– Bob, frustrated by his loss, trained harder. Nonessential
– The conductor Al Paulo joined our symphony. Essential
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Commas after Introductory
Words and Phrases
• After introductory elements and interjections.
– Well, I guess I’ll join you.
– Whoa, that was unexpected!
• After a series of introductory phrases.
– In the woods by that lake in Michigan, we found an old cabin.
• After an introductory phrase of five or more words
– Nearing the creepy old haunted mansion, we suddenly heard a creak.
 After a parenthetical introductory phrase
– By the way, I should have told you that I’m moving.
 After an introductory phrase to avoid confusion.
– Before eating, Shelley always washes her hands.
Using Commas for Direct
Address
• When addressing someone directly in writing, set the name
off from the rest of the sentence.
–
–
–
–
Jake, please come here.
I have a friend named Marnie. (Not addressing Marnie)
Let’s eat, Grandma! (Talking to Grandma)
Let’s eat Grandma! (Run, Grandma!)
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Remember:
Commas Add Clarity
vs.
The panda eats, shoots, and leaves.
The panda eats shoots and leaves.
Credit: Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss
Semicolons
• Semicolons can join two independent clauses .
– The music was terrible; we left the concert early.
• Also use a semicolon when the second clauses begins
with however, indeed, therefore, or other conjunctive
adverbs.
– The food was awful; however, the atmosphere was lovely.
• Semicolons are used in a list when there are commas
within the list.
– I have lived in Washington, DC; Fargo, ND; and Chicago,
IL.
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Conjunctive Adverbs
accordingly
also
besides
consequently
conversely
finally
furthermore
hence
however
indeed
instead
likewise
meanwhile
moreover
nevertheless
next
nonetheless
otherwise
similarly
still
subsequently
then
therefore
thus
Punctuation with Quotation
Marks
• Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks.
– He thought, “Well, this is the end.”
– “Traveling,” he said to himself, “is the stuff of life.”
• Question marks and exclamation points go inside or
outside depending on if they primarily apply to the
quoted material.
– He needed to find out who sent him the note asking,
“Are you happy?”
– Do you remember who wrote the poem “Lenore”?
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Apostrophe Errors
• ‘s is for possession
– The bear’s fur is black.
– The avocados are firm. (No possession, no
apostrophe)
– The children’s instruments are in the trunk.
• ‘s is also used in contractions
– Who’s at my door?
– Let’s have a party!
– How’s the new job?
Apostrophe Errors
• Do not use an apostrophe after a number or
abbreviation if it is not need.
– We have 1000s of choices!
– Those CDs are mine.
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Apostrophes Memory Trick
• This is wrong
http://www.apostrophe.org.uk/
Part 6. Letter Writing
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Letter Writing –
Appearance and Formatting
– Business letters should be single-spaced with a double
space between paragraphs.
– Block format justified left.
– Do not indent the beginning of a new paragraph.
– Make paragraphs roughly the same length so it is visually
appealing.
– Pay attention to how the content looks on the page. There
should be at least one inch margins on all sides.
– The first page should be printed on letterhead. Subsequent
pages should be on blank formal paper that matches the
letterhead.
Letter Writing Components
•
A formal business letter should have the following components:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Letterhead address or typed address if no letterhead available
Dateline
Inside Address
Attention line (if needed)
Salutation – Dear Mr. King, Dear Sir or Madam: Dear VicePresident:
Subject line (optional)
Body
Complimentary Closing – Sincerely, Respectfully Yours
Signer’s Identification, 4 lines below closing
Reference Initials (optional as needed)
Enclosure Reminder (if needed)
Cc notification (if needed)
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Questions?
45
Business Writing Blitz:
Tackling Grammar, Punctuation, and Common Errors
Dr. Shannon H. Andrus
Part 1: Quicksand Words
1. A Lot

A lot is two words.
o That is A LOT of strawberries
2. A & An
 The article A is used before words that begin with consonant sounds
and AN is used before words with vowel sounds.
o
A Utopian world
o An honorable woman
3. Bad & Badly
 Bad is an adjective; badly is an adverb.
o That was a bad movie.
o I play the piano badly.
 Some linking verbs: To be, feel, look, appear, smell.
o
I feel bad. (Feel is a linking verb. Bad describes the noun I.)
o
I feel badly. (Feel is an action verb. Badly describes the verb
feel.)
4. Good & Well
 Good & Well: It’s okay to use good instead of well after linking verbs,
because you can use adjectives to describe linking verbs.
o I run well. I swim well. I dance well. I am good.
o Use I am well when you are specifically describing the opposite
of sick.
1
5. Can & May
 Can & May: Can indicates that one is asking if something is possible.
May indicates that one is asking if something is permissible.
o Can I catch salmon in this river?
o May I catch salmon in this river?
6. i.e. & e.g.
 i.e. -- that is or in other words; e.g. -- for example
o Typically you use commas before and after or put in
parentheses
o Do not italicize
o Put periods after each letter
o She loves contact sports, e.g., football and rugby.
o They would love to go somewhere tropical (e.g., Hawaii or
Costa Rica).
7. Regardless & Irregardless
 Regardless is a word that means to regard less. To not consider or to
ignore. Irregardless is sometimes used colloquially, but it would mean
not to regard less – the exact opposite of the speaker’s intended use.
8. Lay & Lie
 Lay and Lie: Lay requires a direct object and lie does not
o I will LAY the book down on the table.
o LAY it on me, Gordon.
 Lay is also the past tense of lie. (Yay, English!)
o Yesterday I lay down for an hour before dinner.
 Laid is the past tense of lay.
o Yesterday I laid the book on the table.
2
9. Less & Fewer
 Less & Fewer: Less is used with non-countable quantities, fewer is for
countable things.
o Please use LESS soap.
o I brought FEWER bars of soap camping this time.
 Exceptions: You can usually use less for time, distance and money,
even when it is countable.
10. Literally
 Literally: Do not use literally for emphasis. It is incorrect.
11. May & Might
 May & Might: Generally may means something is likely to happen
and might means it is not very likely.
o I may go to the store before Bill gets here.
o I might win the lottery.
12. Who & Whom
 Who is used when you refer to the subject of a clause and whom when
you refer to an object of a clause.
o To WHOM does this purse belong?
o WHO took my jacket?
3
Part 2. More Quicksand: Homophones and Imposters
13. Affect & Effect
 Affect is a verb and effect is a noun.
o How will this grade AFFECT your GPA?
o The EFFECT of this intervention was tremendous.
14. Compliment & Complement
 Compliment & Complement: To compliment is to praise or admire
someone. To complement something is to complete something or go
well with it.
o She gave me the sweetest COMPLIMENT today.
o That hair color really COMPLEMENTS your eyes.
15. Ensure & Insure
 To ensure is to make certain or guarantee. Insure is to protect against
loss through insurance.
o I will ENSURE that we are home before 11 o’clock.
o I have INSURED my car.
16. Lose & Loose
 To lose is to misplace something or fail to win. Loose is an adjective
meaning not tight.
o I hate to LOSE
o My front wheel is LOOSE
17. Then & Than
 Then has an element of time in it. Than is used for a comparison.
o We brushed our teeth and THEN went to bed.
o My cat is fatter THAN yours.
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18. Very & Vary
 Very is an adverb or adjective used as an intensifier. Vary is a verb
meaning to change or to be different.
o She rides VERY well.
o I should VARY my routine.
Part 3. Even more Quicksand: Contraction Homophones
19. You’re & Your
 You’re means you are. Your is the possessive form of you.
o YOU’RE a great person.
o YOUR shoes are fabulous.
20. Who’s & Whose
 Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has. Whose is a possessive
form of who.
o WHO’S that new kid?
o WHOSE plate is this?
21. It’s & Its
 It’s is a contraction meaning it is. Its is a possessive form of it.
o IT’S going to rain later today.
o ITS nest fell out of the tree.
22. There & They’re & Their
 There is a place. They’re is a contraction of they and are. Their is a
possessive pronoun.
o I left my bike over THERE.
o THEY’RE going to be upset with us.
o THEIR bikes are in the garage.
5
Part 4: Grammar Gaffes
23. Misplaced Modifier

A modifier modifies (or changes, describes, limits or gives
information about) something in a sentence. Modifiers should clearly
refer to the object or action in the sentence to which they are
referring. When the modifier is in the wrong place it can refer to the
wrong part of the sentence. When this happens we call it a
MISPLACED MODIFIER.
o I found a huge spider cleaning out the barn. (Incorrect)
24. Dangling Modifier

A modifier should definitively refer to the object or action in the
sentence to which it is referring. When it’s not clear what the modifier
is trying to describe, we say it is a DANGLING MODIFIER.
o Hoping for a great showing at the track meet, many hours of
training were done.
25. Prepositions
 A preposition is a word or group of words that is used with a noun,
pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, location, or time, or to
introduce an object
 Generally, the rule is to not end a sentence with a preposition.
 If the preposition is not extraneous, then you can usually leave it in
place.
o I want you to cheer up. (Correct. If you remove the word up the
sentence changes.)
o Where is she at? (Incorrect. If you remove the word at the
sentence has the same meaning.)
26. Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement


When you use a pronoun in a sentence is must agree with the
antecedent, i.e., the person or thing to which it is referring.
There are many indefinite pronouns that are unexpectedly
singular: No one, Nobody, Anyone, Anybody, Someone,
Somebody, Everyone, Each, Either, and Neither.
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 Because those are singular pronouns they must match with other
singular pronouns when they are the antecedent.
o EVERYONE needs to finish HIS dinner.
o SOMEONE left HER coat on the floor.
27. Parallel Structure
 Parallel structure is using the same type or pattern of words to show
that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can
happen at the word, phrase, or clause level.
o INCORRECT: The CEO studied all parts of the problem—
humane, political, and cost.
o CORRECT: The CEO studied all parts of the problem—humane,
political, and financial.
28. Split Infinitive

An infinitive is a verb form usually beginning with to, that is
used as a noun or a modifier. To swim, to eat, to be, to go. To
split an infinitive means simply to put another word between
the to and the other part of the verb.
Part 5: Punctuation Problems
29. Periods
 Only use one space after a period.
 There are not firm rules on using periods after each letter in an
acronym (NOW) or initialisms (NSA).
 If you use an abbreviation that ends in a period at the end of a
sentence, do not use a second period.
30. Question Marks
 Tag questions require a question mark.
o You bought lettuce, didn’t you?
 Indirect questions do not require a question mark.
o I wonder if it will rain.
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31. Serial Comma
 The serial comma is the one that comes before the conjunction in a
list.

It is a style decision if you would like to use it or not. Just be
consistent!
32. Comma Splice
 Commas cannot join two independent clauses together.
o The dog is hungry, I will give it food. ✕
 If you have two clauses that could stand alone as two separate
sentences you need to separate them with one of the following:
o A period: The dog is hungry. I will give it food.
o A comma and a coordinating conjunction: The dog is hungry,
so I will give it food.
o A semicolon: The dog is hungry; I will give it food.
33. Adjective Commas
 If you can put an and between two words describing something OR if
you can reverse the order, then you can use a comma.
o Patrick bought a fast, blue boat. ✓ (Comma okay)
o Patrick bought a fast and blue boat. ✓
o It was a long planning session. ✓ (No comma)
o It was a planning long session. ✕
34. Commas around Nonessential Elements
 If there is a descriptive word or phrase in the middle of a sentence, put
commas around it only if it contains nonessential information.
o My mother, who is eighty years old, just got a driver’s license.
Nonessential
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o The woman in the blue dress is my mother. Essential
35. Commas after Introductory Words and Phrases
 After introductory elements and interjections.
o Well, I guess I’ll join you.
o Whoa, that was unexpected!
 After a series of introductory phrases.
o In the woods by that lake in Michigan, we found an old cabin.
 After an introductory phrase of five or more words
o Nearing the creepy old haunted mansion, we suddenly heard a
creak.
o After a parenthetical introductory phrase
o By the way, I should have told you that I’m moving.
o After an introductory phrase to avoid confusion.
o Before eating, Shelley always washes her hands.
36. Using Commas for Direct Address
 When addressing someone directly in writing, set the name off from
the rest of the sentence.
o Jake, please come here.
o I have a friend named Marnie. (Not addressing Marnie)
37. Semicolons
 Semicolons can join two independent clauses .
o The music was terrible; we left the concert early.
 Also use a semicolon when the second clauses begins with however,
indeed, or therefore.
o The food was awful; however, the atmosphere was lovely.
o Semicolons are used in a list when there are commas within the
list.
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o I have lived in Washington, DC; Fargo, ND; and Chicago, IL.
38. Punctuation with Quotation Marks
 Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks.
o He thought, “Well, this is the end.”
o “Traveling,” he said to himself, “is the stuff of life.”
o Question marks and exclamation points go inside or outside
depending on if they primarily apply to the quoted material.
o He needed to find out who sent him the note asking, “Are you
happy?”
o Do you remember who wrote the poem “Lenore”?
39. Apostrophe Errors

‘s is for possession or in a contraction
Part 6. Business Letter Writing
40. Appearance and Formatting
o Business letters should be single-spaced with a double space
between paragraphs
o Do not indent the beginning of a new paragraph.
o Make paragraphs roughly the same length so it is visually
appealing.
o Pay attention to how the content looks on the page. There
should be at least one inch margins on all sides.
o The first page should be printed on letterhead. Subsequent
pages should be on blank formal paper that matches the
letterhead.
41. Components of a Business Letter
o Letterhead address or typed address if no letterhead available
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o Dateline
o Inside Address
o Attention line (if needed)
o Salutation – Dear Mr. King, Dear Sir or Madam:, Dear VicePresident:
o Subject line (optional)
o Body
o Complimentary Closing – Sincerely, Respectfully Yours
o Signer’s Identification, 4 lines below closing
o Reference Initials (optional as needed)
o Enclosure Reminder (if needed)
o Cc notification (if needed)
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Mill’s Hiking Apparel
13205 South Johnston St.
Denver, CO 80122
(800) 555-12342
June 23, 2013
Langston Sock Factory
22 S. Boyle St.
Littleton, CO 80123
ATTENTION: Ms. Martha Strong
Dear Ms. Strong:
Subject: Inferior sock quality
I would like to discuss the recent shipment of socks you provided to our store. We found
the socks to be full of holes and totally unacceptable for sale. I have contacted your
customer service department repeatedly and have not been able to confirm that
replacement socks have been sent.
As I’m sure you can imagine, it is difficult to be without product at this time of year. I am
hopeful that this matter can be addresses with utmost haste. Please let me know if you are
able to come to our store by the end of the week to examine the merchandise and discuss
how you can rectify this situation.
Please find enclosed photos of the holey socks and a copy of our invoice. As you will see,
we placed the order for socks on May 3, 2013. It is now late June and we have no socks to
sell. If we are not able to resolve this matter soon, we will have no choice but to purchase
socks from another provider.
Sincerely,
Mill’s Hiking Apparel
John Johansen
General Manager
JJ/wf
Enclosure
cc Mr. Albert Allen
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